In Sanskrit, Akhanda means whole, or indivisible.  We think of the yoga system as being a vast, whole tradition that evolved into many different streams, like Vedanta, Tantra, and Samkhya; different paths, like Bhakti, Karma and Jnana; and aspects of practice like asana, pranayama and mantra.  In a holistic class we use themes to weave various aspect of yoga theory and practice together into a tapestry that offers students a powerful experience, and an experiential toolkit for their journey.

Akhanda Yoga® is:

• A class that balances all of the directional movements of the spine (flexion, extension, lateral flexion, rotation, grounding and levitating);
• In all of the stations (standing, crouching, sitting, laying on the belly, laying on the back, arm balances and inversions);
• A balance between yang and yin – effort and allowing, in postures, meditation, and life;
• A teaching that offers studies in the diverse toolkit of yoga techniques: asana, pranayama, mantra, visualization, relaxation and meditation;
• A teaching that uses themes to bring the philosophies of the wider yoga tradition into classes as a thread that also helps guide the sequencing and dialogue for that class;
• A balance between cueing checkpoints for safety and allowing for inner inquiry.  Some element of body mechanics is needed for safety and increased body awareness; however, if we over mechanise the postures, we limit the students’ freedom to explore the micro-movements they can make within the normal range, as well as to explore the subtle prana, and their own inner experience in any given moment.

Akhanda (holistic) Yoga® Class Description

• Akhanda is a holistic yoga teaching approach.  In this class you will explore:
  • A balance of yin/yang postures, and other diverse aspects of yoga such as pranayama, mantra, relaxation, visualization and meditation;
  • A theme which ties yogic wisdom in to the sequence of the day and/or to the progression towards a peak pose.  For example, open hips – open heart; or forward bends and releasing outmoded ways of being.
  • A balance between structural cues and inner inquiry, so that participants can explore their own breath, body and experience within that range of safe movement.

Above information courtesy of  http://www.akhandayoga.com